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SHIRT BOSOM PROTECTOR.

No. 494,656. PatentedApr. 4, 1893-..

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NITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN TEEL, OF GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN, ASSIGNOR OF THREE-FOURTHS TO JOSEPH H. WONDERLY, OF SAME PLACE.

SHIRT-BVOSOM PROTECTOR.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 494,656, dated April 4, 1893.

Application led J' une 1,1892. Serial No. 435,138. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN TEEL, of Grand Rapids, in the county of Kent and State of Michigan, have invented certain new and use ful Improvements in Shirt-Bosom Protectors; and Ido hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the lett-ers of reference marked thereon, which form part of this specification.

The invention is an improved protector and stay for shirt bosoms and similar articles of f wearing apparel, and its objects are to keep the shirt bosom away from the body of the wearer, so that it will not become crinkled and damp by perspiration and to enable the bosom to be iilled out so as to fit the vest front, also to keep the bosom from breaking if the wearer stoops over, and to improve the appearance of the wearer by enabling him to increase the apparent fullness and breadth of the chest or bosom.

This invention therefore consists in the novel construction of the shield as hereinafter described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings:-Figure l is a perspective View of the protector as applied tothe body of a person. Fig. 2 is aback View thereof, and Fig. 3 is an edge view. The cover being broken away in parts of Fig. l, and entirely removed from the frame in Figs. 2 and 3.

Referring to such drawings by letter A, A, designate the opposite side pieces of the frame, which are connected at their top by a cross piece B and at bottom by a cross piece O and at a pointintermediatethetop and bottom pieces by cross piece D. E, E, designate vertical pieces parallel with pieces A, A, and secured to pieces B, O, D, as indicated. A greater or less number of these pieces E and D may be used as desired. The said pieces may be formed of any suitable material in any manner desired. For purposes of coolness and cleanliness, I make them of corset bone or steel covered with linen or cotton like ordinary corset or dress stays. The upper ends a, a, of the side pieces which project above bar B are designed to loosely embrace the neck of the wearer and prevent lateral slipping of the shield.

F is a belt connected to the lower end ot' the shield, and adapted to be fastened around the body of the wearer to secure the lower end of shield in place.

G, G, are adjusting straps provided with buckles or other devices so that they can be shortened or otherwise arranged to bow the pieces A, E, as indicated in the drawings.

It will be noticed that the lower ends of straps G are attached to pieces A andEafew inches above the bottom of the shield; by so doing the bottom of shield will continually lie flat against the wearer and will not be uncomfortable, or chafe him. j

H represents a cover preferably ot muslin which incloses the frame.

The shield is attached to the body of the wearer as indicated in Fig. 1 so as to underlie the bosom of the shirt, and willof course keep the bosom out of contact with the other underwear or desh of the wearer, and will press the bosom outward, and if the wearer stoops over, the upper portion of the shield bows outwardly pushing out the shirt bosom and preventing breaking thereof.

The shield is especially useful in warm weather, and with full dress suits, to preserve a clean unbroken neat fitting shirt front. The shield also assists in upholding the weight of the shirt so that the collar band does not bear down on the throat, as it would if the shield were removed.

Having described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent thereon, isl 1. A shirt bosom stay consisting of a series of narrow vertical spring strips arranged parallel, and horizontal, top, bottom and intermediate strips intersecting and united to the vertical strips at their point of intersection therewith, and an adjusting strap for each vertical strip having its upper end secured thereto on a line with the top horizontal strip, and its lower end also secured to the vertical strip at a point somewhat removed from the lower end thereof in such manner that each of the vertical strips may be bowed between the points at which the adjusting straps are secured, while the lower portion remains flat IOO against the body, substantially as described.

2. A shirt bosom stay consisting of a series of narrow vertical spring strips arranged parallel; horizontal top, bottom and intermediate strips of suitable material intersecting and united to the Vertical strips at their point of intersection therewith, the side vertical strips projecting above the top horizontral strip and an adjusting strap for each vertical strip having its upper end Secured thereto on a line with the top horizontal strip and its lower end also secured to the vertical strip, near but not to the lower end thereof in such manner that each of tbe vertical strips may be bowed between the points at. which the adjusting straps are secured, While the lower portion remains flat against the body; with a removable cover inelosing the upper portion of the shield, substantially as and for the purpose described.

In testimony that I elaiin the foregoing as my own I affix my sign ature in presence of two witnesses.

JOHN TEEL.

lVitnesses:

ARTHUR E. DowELL, J AMES R. MANSFIELD. 

